Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue on Fe-Fullerene/TiO2 Under Visible-Light Irradiation

Abstract

Three types of Fe-fullerene/TiO₂ were prepared using C60 (fullerene) and titanium(IV) nbutoxide by a modified sol-gel method. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and photocatalytic activity. Photocatalytic properties for decolorization of methylene blue solution in the presence of three types of Fe-fullerene/TiO₂ under visible light had been studied. The results showed that Fe incorporated fullerene enhanced TiO₂ increase the decolorization rate of methylene blue. It was found that the photocatalytic degradation of a methylene blue solution could be attributed to the combined effects caused by the photo-degradation of titania, the electron assistance of fullerene, the enhancement of Fe by photo-fenton effect. The presence of Fe enhanced the photocatalytic actiity of Fe-fullerene/TiO₂ catalysts under visible light.